critically flawed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critically flawed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has significant or serious flaws, often in a critical analysis or evaluation context. Example: "The research study was deemed critically flawed due to its lack of a control group and insufficient sample size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"Now that we know the theory of the D.A.'s case, we are confident that it is critically flawed and that Mr. Kancharla will be vindicated".

The New York Times

The Grocery Manufacturers Association, which calls Vermont's labeling bill critically flawed and bad for consumers, declined to comment or grant an interview.

The Guardian

Last month the federal Environmental Protection Agency told city officials that the new law was critically flawed and likely to result in more lead poisoning of children.

The New York Times

They blame the city's Education Department, saying the process it uses to figure out where to build new schools is critically flawed.

The New York Times

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has notified New York City officials that it believes changes made in the city's lead-paint law last year are critically flawed.

The New York Times

Indeed, as soon as the new Science papers were released some top researchers in the field were declaring the studies critically flawed.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Perhaps most critically, an anticorruption campaign, however flawed, has proved sufficient to prevent corruption from spiraling out of control.

Cornell University

Estimates of GFR using equations based on serum creatinine concentrations are flawed in the critically ill patient [ 21, 23].

Critical Care

These data confirm that these commonly employed estimates of GFR are largely flawed in the critically ill, and should be viewed with caution in this setting.

Critical Care

Mathematical estimates of GFR and creatinine clearance are flawed in the critically ill, and will tend to significantly under-estimate renal function in those with ARC.

Critical Care

Finally as suggested in Figure 1, even if the most precise trial is identified, it still needs to be critically appraised, and, if unacceptably flawed, the second most precise trial examined, etc.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "critically flawed", ensure you can clearly articulate the specific flaws and their potential consequences. Provide evidence or reasoning to support your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "critically flawed" when the issue is minor or easily fixable. Overusing strong language can weaken your argument and diminish the impact of your criticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critically flawed" functions as an adjectival phrase used to describe something that has significant and detrimental shortcomings. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates a severe level of imperfection.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "critically flawed" is used to describe something with significant and serious flaws, making it suitable for various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. When using this phrase, clearly articulate the specific flaws and their consequences, while avoiding overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives include "fundamentally unsound" and "seriously deficient". Overall, "critically flawed" serves as a powerful descriptor for severe imperfections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamentally unsound

Emphasizes a deeper, more foundational problem.

seriously deficient

Highlights the lack of essential qualities or components.

fatally defective

Indicates a flaw that leads to failure or inoperability.

substantially imperfect

Stresses a significant level of imperfection.

gravely impaired

Focuses on the compromised or damaged nature of something.

deeply problematic

Highlights significant issues and challenges.

badly compromised

Emphasizes the vulnerability and weakened state.

majorly incorrect

Focuses on the factual errors and inaccuracies.

essentially invalid

Suggests a lack of legitimacy or basis.

woefully inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency and unsuitability.

FAQs

How can I use "critically flawed" in a sentence?

You can use "critically flawed" to describe plans, arguments, designs, or systems that have significant and detrimental flaws. For example, "The study's methodology was "critically flawed", rendering its conclusions unreliable."

What are some alternatives to "critically flawed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "fundamentally unsound", "seriously deficient", or "fatally defective". See a full list of alternatives "here".

Is it better to say 'critically flawed' or 'seriously flawed'?

Both "critically flawed" and "seriously flawed" are acceptable. "Critically flawed" suggests that the flaws are so significant that they undermine the entire foundation or purpose, while "seriously flawed" implies significant but not necessarily fatal flaws.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "critically flawed"?

It's appropriate when the flaws are severe enough to cause significant problems or failures. Make sure you can justify your assessment with specific examples or evidence.